The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-30
Christmas entertainments.

The Sunday school held Christmas
entertainment at the Zion church, Fishing
creek township, Christmas eve, for the
benefit Of the children. 1t consisted of
singing, class exercises and rotations
The children did well in reciting their
pieces, doing credit to themselves and
their instructors. The singing was good.
Some of the pieces they sang were rather
difficult and few In the choir had but
little or no practice so that IL there were
any mistakes or discords, the blame should
not be put upon the whole choir, but upon
those who failed to practice The church
was crowded to overfowing, yet there was
good order. Pleasant weather and good
roads brought several there from dis
tance. E. M. Laubaugh, Supt., took
charge of the exercises with Miss Miriam
McHenry at the organ. The opening piece
was Christmas chant sung by Mrs. Anna
McHenry, Mrs. Jennie Dewitt, Miss Effie
Greasy, Miss Emma Richard, Mr. Cyrus
Robbins aid Mr.. j. l.. Conner Prayer
was offered by Mr. John Sutton. The fol-
lowing is the program: Music, "Oh, Lift up
Your Hearts," by the choir; Opening ad-
dress, John Sutton; Music, Something
to do" by the children; Recitation, Annie's
and Wille's Prayer" Amanda Dewitt;
"The Floral Cross" suug by Effie Creasy's
class; The months, having names of each
in wreaths, Clara Trump's class; Music
THE Coming Christ" choir; "Christmas
Customs" o. j. Hess; Music, "Wake the
Song of Jubilee" choir; class exercise, by
the children; Recitation, "Christmas Carol, u
Myrtle Henry; Music, "The Smitten Rock, u
choir; Responsive service, four boys and
girls; Music, "Glory be to God," choir
Recitation, "Carol round the Christmas
Tree" Lille Robbins; Music, "No Room
for Thee in the Inn," choir; Distribution
of Gifts, by committees; Parting hymn
choir.
They had ladders arranged in the form
Of the letter A which were literally covered
with presents, some beautiful and costly
ones. There were over seven hundred
and fifty gifts. These entertainments are
treat to the children and everybody l be
lieve is in favor of them as far as the exer
cises are concerned and rewarding the g.
s. children with candies, nuts, cards and
small books, or teachers giving their schol
srs a present or scholars their teacher.
But many are opposed to taking so many
gifts merely to beautify the tree or fo
show. as it makes many sad heart among
the children. Poor children who are il
need OF many things, get but few presents
while those children who really have every
thing they need get the majority CT them
Two children will be sitting together, on,
will get as much or more than he Cal
carry, the other will get nothing or a mer,
| trihe while he is the one that is 10 need O
these things.
believe / will be safe in saying tina
| three fourths OF the gifts there were either
given by parents to their children, or by
children to their parents, or else given b,
one memb.r of family to another mem
ber in the same family. If these gifts wer
| given at home the children would be jus
as happy as to receive them at a church
while the poor children, whose parent
cannot afford to buy them much, no
knowing what other children get, woul,
be far happier than going to Christina
entertainment and receiving scarcely any
thing. This is not only my own opinion
but the opinion of many with whom hav
talked. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES